[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
released the hidden spring. So she rose and
hurried into the cavern, where she told Kaliko and
her friends of her discovery.
"I've no doubt that that is a way to the Metal
Forest," exclaimed Shaggy. "Come, let us follow
Ruggedo at once and rescue my poor brother!"
Page 207
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
They agreed to this and King Kaliko called
together a band of nomes to assist them by
carrying torches to light their way.
"The Metal Forest has a brilliant light of its
own," said he, "but the passage across the valley
is likely to be dark."
Polychrome easily found the rock and touched the
spring, so in less than an hour after Ruggedo had
entered they were all in the passage and following
swiftly after the former King.
"He means to rob the Forest, I'm sure," said
Kaliko; "but he will find he is no longer of any
account in this Kingdom and I will have my nomes
throw him out."
"Then please throw him as hard as you can," said
Betsy, "for he deserves it. I don't mind an
honest, out-an'-out enemy, who fights square; but
changing girls into fiddles and ordering 'em put
into Slimy Caves is mean and tricky, and Ruggedo
doesn't deserve any sympathy. But you'll have to
let him take as much treasure as he can get in his
pockets, Kaliko."
"Yes, the Jinjin said so; but we won't miss it
much. There is more treasure in the Metal Forest
Page 208
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
than a million nomes could carry in their
pockets."
It was not difficult to walk through this
passage, especially when the torches lighted the
way, so they made good progress. But it proved to
be a long distance and Betsy had tired herself
with walking and was seated upon the back of the
mule when the passage made a sharp turn and a
wonderful and glorious light burst upon them. The
next moment they were all standing upon the edge
of the marvelous Metal Forest.
It lay under another mountain and occupied a
great domed cavern, the roof of which was higher
than a church steeple. In this space the
industrious nomes had built, during many years of
labor, the most beautiful forest in the world. The
trees--trunks, branches and leaves--were all of
solid gold, while the bushes and underbrush were
formed of filigree silver, virgin pure. The trees
towered as high as natural live oaks do and were
of exquisite workmanship.
On the ground were thickly strewn precious gems
of every hue and size, while here and there among
the trees were paths pebbled with cut diamonds of
the clearest water. Taken all together, more
treasure was gathered in this Metal Forest than is
contained in all the rest of the world--if we
Page 209
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
except the land of Oz, where perhaps its value is
equalled in the famous Emerald City.
Our friends were so amazed at the sight that for
a while they stood gazing in silent wonder. Then
Shaggy exclaimed.
"My brother! My dear lost brother! Is he indeed
a prisoner in this place?"
"Yes," replied Kaliko. "The Ugly One has been
here for two or three years, to my positive
knowledge."
"But what could he find to eat?" inquired
Betsy. "It's an awfully swell place to live in, but
one can't breakfast On rubies and di'monds, or
even gold."
"One doesn't need to, my dear," Kaliko assured
her. "The Metal Forest does not fill all of this
great cavern, by any means. Beyond these gold and
silver trees are other trees of the real sort,
which bear foods very nice to eat. Let us walk in
that direction, for I am quite sure we will find
Shaggy's brother in that part of the cavern,
rather than in this."
So they began to tramp over the diamond-pebbled
paths, and at every step they were more and more
Page 210
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
bewildered by the wondrous beauty of the golden
trees with their glittering foliage.
Suddenly they heard a scream. Jewels scattered
in every direction as some one hidden among the
bushes scampered away before them. Then a loud
voice cried: "Halt!" and there was the sound of a
struggle.
Chapter Twenty-One
A Bashful Brother
With fast beating hearts they all rushed forward
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]